What Car? Or What Mk4 Astra?

What Car? Or What Mk4 Astra?

Author
Discussion

Jayho

Original Poster:

2,182 posts

177 months

Monday 8th November 2010
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Hi,

Been toying with the idea of swapping cars lately and the Astra has been shortlisted (Along with a couple of other cars but the Astra fits the budget best)

Why the Astra? Nomatter what the model, for a 21 year old its very insurable. Requiring (Wanting) a slightly bigger car (5 dr) and compfier ride than my current car.

So i'm hoping someone here could answer a few questions about a few models

From parkers I've found that (Going by SRI models) the 1.8 and 2.0 engines have the same 0-60? Is there much difference between the two cars and which would be better to get?

there's also the 2.2L SRI which is slightly faster, is there anything to look out for or is there any reason not to get one?

How easily tunable are the N/a engines? Is there any known modifications which return noticable output?

Living day to day with the car? Is good MPG acheivable? Does it require high octane fuel?

2.0L Turbo? Its the fastest and the top model? Much difference between the SRI and GSI? Is the 2l turbo available in 5 door form? and ore or less the same questions i've been asking about the N/a's.

Thanks.

dele

1,270 posts

201 months

Tuesday 9th November 2010
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I used to own a GSi

Trip computer showed that i averaged around 32mpg, i used to always use Tesco 99 fuel, once or twice when i was caught out i had to put in regular 95, car run ok but on two occasions is made the ECU light come on and it didnt run very well

Dont bother looking to tune the N/A, you need big pockets for small gains,

It only came in 3 door, very tuneable, much more so than the N/A models, if your hearts stuck on a turbo 5dr then you need to look at the new shape astra or hunt for a 2.0 turbo Vectra or maybe a comprise with an Astra Coupe Turbo? same engine as the GSi but with a bigger boot

Edited by dele on Tuesday 9th November 11:40

Drive Blind

5,253 posts

184 months

Wednesday 10th November 2010
quotequote all
Jayho said:
From parkers I've found that (Going by SRI models) the 1.8 and 2.0 engines have the same 0-60? Is there much difference between the two cars and which would be better to get?
For a start don't take Parkers as gospel. In the real world there wont be much between them 0-60. The 2l certainly wont be slower and benefits from a longer geared gearbox. The 1.8 will be buzzier at motorway speed. The 2l was only available upto aug 2000 approx and only in 3dr sri form. The 1.8 was available right up until 2004 and was available in 3dr,5dr and sxi and sri trim so you'll have the choice of more and newer examples of the 1.8.

Jayho said:
there's also the 2.2L SRI which is slightly faster, is there anything to look out for or is there any reason not to get one?
The 2.2's achilles heal was a dodgy timing chain lubrication system that could cause the chain to snap. It's well known so a quick google should show you what to look for and how to prevent it. There was a mod/fix available for it


Jayho said:
Living day to day with the car? Is good MPG acheivable? Does it require high octane fuel?
Doesn't require SUL no. 40mpg would be achievable if you drove economically and didn't do a lot of town driving. low 30's mpg would be about average. Sub 30 if you spend all your time in town

Jayho said:
2.0L Turbo? Its the fastest and the top model? Much difference between the SRI and GSI? Is the 2l turbo available in 5 door form? and ore or less the same questions i've been asking about the N/a's.
2l turbo (Z20LET) was available in the coupe turbo 2000 on, sri turbo (ltd edition model 2002) and the GSi late 2002 on. No 5 door model available. Lots of tuning options available for the turbo.

HellDiver

5,708 posts

189 months

Thursday 11th November 2010
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1.8 has a close ratio box, so does 60 the same as the 2.0. The 2.0 doesn't run out of steam at 80 like the 1.8.

Have you considered a 1.8 SXI? Most of the SRI trim, but easier insured. I had a 2.0DTI SXI, which was higher specced than an SRI - it had optional heated electric mirrors, spoiler, and it had ESP. I added the ESP defeat switch and a few other odds and ends. I also fitted a Wietec UltraGT suspension kit (55mm front and 40mm rear lower), Whiteline rear ARB. I still regret selling it, was a brilliant car despite being only 100hp.


PigFilth

3,627 posts

208 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
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I have a 1.8 SXi company car a few years back - bloody good car.

We've just got a Coupe (2004/04) - the post above mentioned heated electric mirrors. Ours are electric, but will that mean they are also heated? Doesn't seem to be a separate switch.

Astra Dan

1,739 posts

191 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
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Yes, they heat up with the rear heated window on.